Senator Carla Joseph has written to Sandra Setorie, the Executive Director of the Public Service Commission, to request a partnership in organizing a town hall meeting regarding the development of solar farms by VI Electron on St. Thomas.
Senator Carla Joseph promptly convened a meeting on Monday, June 30, after receiving calls from constituents on the west end of St. Thomas who had observed a significant bulldozing and clearing of land in their community. The meeting was attended by executive members of the Bluewater Crest Homeowners Association, representatives for VI Electron and officials of the Public Service Commission. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an initial insight on the planned solar farm development on the West End of St. Thomas.
Senator Carla Joseph stated in her letter to PSC Executive Director Setorie, “It is imperative to engage all stakeholders in the discussion of any significant developments within our community, as the Public Service Commission and all involved have a fiduciary duty as corporate citizens and neighbors.” She also acknowledged that residents have a right to know. This encompasses the dissemination of information to the community, as well as to homeowners and residents in the vicinity of the development.
According to Senator Carla Joseph, the convening of a town hall meeting provides the Public Service Commission with the opportunity to disseminate information regarding Power Providers and Power Purchase Agreements in the territory, VI Electron to discuss its planned development, operations, management, and safeguards, and for residents specifically in the Fortuna and Bovoni areas to have any questions or concerns about the planned solar farm developments in their neighborhoods addressed.
Senator Joseph has stated that she is prepared and eager to meet with PSC Executive Director Sandra Setorie at her earliest convenience in order to collaborate on this endeavor to inform the community of the significant developments that are planned for the St. Thomas/St. John District.
In order to ensure that the perspectives and concerns of our community residents are recognized and addressed, Senator Carla Joseph concluded that “Transparency and inclusivity are essential.”
As a member of the 36th Legislature, Senator Carla J. Joseph serves as an Ex-Officio Member of the Public Service Commission for the St. Thomas/St. John District.
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